No. 29. SPA TOURISM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH TOURISM IN GREECE (in Greek)

S. Spathi. 2000. | ISBN: 960-341-029-2

 

Spa tourism is an alternative kind of tourism and aims at the utilisation of spring water for therapeutic or prevention of disease effects.

The existence of important thermal water springs all over the Greek area, about 822 according to data of IGME, many of them known from the ancient time, has been the base for the development of spa resorts in modern Greece.

 

The targets of new tourism policy about the alteration of tourism products, the longer last of tourist time and the attractiveness of high income tourists are possible when spas escape from a geriatric specialisation and become health resorts attracting younger visitors. and open more than summer time lasts as the large resorts abroad.

 

This study describes the present situation in Greece and in other countries in relation to spa and health tourism. Analytical data of water spa are presented about their medical treatement of chronic diseases, their chemical consistence, as well as their temperature in water springs that exist in Greece and have been officially recognised by the National Tourist Organisation as spa of National or of Local Importance. In addition data are presented for the infrastructure and the bathing capacity of each spa, as well as data for the supply of bed accommodation in the around hotels for the visitors of resorts. The number of visitors for bathing therapy, drinking therapy and inhalation therapy are examined separately offered in spa of National or of Local importance all over Greece. The size and the contribution of spa tourism in general tourism is examined through the estimation of the number of nights spent in the around hotels. Also, the use of therapeutic waters from the internal or external tourism is examined, the use by age etc. At last the sector of mineral and table waters is analysed because it shows dynamic demand here and abroad.